Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-08-23
WET AND HAPPY SOLDIERS.

-
Arrival OF the Connecticut National
Guard at Camp LOunsbury, Mantle
storm Beaten But Blithe-How the
Soldier Boys Fared on Their First
Day i'm Camp-The UnprOpitiOus
Weather Prevents Active Military
Duty-The Second Regiment Arrives
ON the Grounds First-L1eutenant
TOttenss Manual-A Week of I'm.
thusiastic work Promised-Other
Camp News.
CAMP LoUNsBURY, NIANTIc, Aug. %.
Especial to the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
Nothing in the way of water can dampen
the spirits of the Connecticut N ational
Guard
Not having made proper arrangements
with the weather clerk yesterday, the States
soldier boys suffered accordingly.
For the past fortnight the soldiers were
fondly hoping that at least the opening day
of their camp life would be pleasant one.
But Old Sol failed to make his appearance as
usual. The morning peeped over the eastern
hills with frown and the camp ground with
its beautiful parade ground and long rows of
white tents looked SO clean, neat and perfect
that one might almost think the weather
clear. There was relenting during the
morning, however, and the brigade was ush-
cred into camp amid a heavy rain storm
one of those storms which farmers in a dry
season generally pray for. There was a
steady downpour for hours and the streets
were converted into mud puddles.
The Second regiment has the honor of
being the first command on the grounds this
morning. Bright and early did New Ravens
soldier boys put in an appearance at Union
armory. At 9 O'Clock there were hundred
or more soldiers getting knapsacks ready land
hoping that the sun would come out. The
New Haven companies left by the way Of the
few minutes past 8 O'Clock when the long
train of cars loaded with blue coats left the
Union depot In spite of the threatening
clouds and heavy atmosphere the soldiers
were happy. AS the train reached Lyme it
began to rain slightly. When East Lyme
was reached 1t was pouring. Colonel Leaven.
worth had his man in line in front of the
Mantle depot at 10 o'clock. The line was
soon formed and the march for the camp
grounds taken up. The regiment moved
from the depot at 1910 and at 1927 was on
the camp ground. The uniforms were hard
ly as trim as when they left the Meadow
street armory, and the light coats appeared
az If the men had picked all the wrinkles be-
tween New Haven and Mantle, while the
shoes and pants presented weary sight in
deed. The soldiers marched through the
heavy rain without lowering knapsacks and
putting on their great coats. There was no
order given for it, and the coats. remained
strapped. There was considerable dissatis-
faction expressed by the men over the matter.
The First regiment did not put in an ap-
pearance until nearly noon. Some of the
men of this regiment were in their armory at
am, but their colonel deemed it wise not
to leave Hartford until the storm had abat-
ed. The storm was heavier in SloopYille
than in the Elm City. The Winsted compa-
ny did not arrive until nearly pm. They
were the last of the brigade to come on the
grounds.
The first thing done after the soldiers
received the command to break ranks was D
make grand rush for the tents. It wasn't
long before the wet coats and other duds
were hung up, while the men sat in the tents
and viewed the storm with dissatisfaction.
At o'clock the storm clouds had partly
rolled away and the sun made struggle to
come out, but did not succeed. The rain
was followed by thick muggy atmosphere
and the humidity which prevailed was some
thing almost unbearable.
Guard mount, which was booked for II
o'clock sharp, did not take place until As
D. M owing to the storm. The soldiers ate
their dinners before the mount, after which
The battalion drill took place.
The men showed up remarkably well con-
sidering the state of the weather and the poor
condition of the ground, which was wet and |
,oggy. The officers expressed themselves as
we'll pleased with the first drill of the week.
Nothing else was accomplished in military |
duty today. Hardly had the battalion drill 4
At Uh ho L
der boys were perspiring freely after their
first experience at actual duty and wonder
ing if it would ever clear up and feel cool
again, the rain came down and soaked
the National Guard as it has never
been soaked before Some of the 1
in the regiments attempted to make
light of the rain, and said it was the fortune /
If war. Their younger companions insisted 1
hat they hadn't enlisted for war purposes, l
md had been assured before starting for 4
amp that it would not rain from start to Il
inish. The storm was very heavy one and |
It this hour of writing q p. n.y. it is still
aging. The vets likened the thunder to the |
,ooming of cannon, the lightning to the
flashing of the guns and they were instantly
Idvised to secure simile less ragged from |
Use and age. The rain, thunder and light.
ling put an end to all military duty for the
lay.
Over in the quarters of the Second regiment
he storm was not minded in the least The 4
heerful spirits in the regiment, and they are
consoled themselves with the |
election that the rain had cooled the atmos-
here and assured their doleful visitors from |
he other regiments that no injury ever re-
ulted from a wetting that penetrated the
kin. The boys of the Second felt hilarious
nd in the best of spirits. They had arrived
t camp first, coveted honor, and geniality
Till reign tonight among the companies of
he Second.
The boys stuck closely to their tents after |
be storm had set in and CHILLED time' by
musing themselves at various games which
hey have the facilities for indulging in The
fe of the average militiaman is never a |
,nesome one when he is encamped among as |
lany companies as are found at Mantle ,
o-day. F
ere given that the sentries should be called |
/ from duty. This was greatly appreciat-
Colonel White, assistant adjutant general, |
lid to the writer on this point:
"There is of course difference in the dis I
pline maintained in regiment of the regu-
r army and that which exists in regiments
the National Guard. Ii the storm oc. ,
Tired at night the sentries would be called
!, as there is hardly a necessity to throw
lem open to such exposure. They differ
ON the regulars, as they come from stores Z
I'd shops, and of course cannot be expected
stand so much hardship"
The talk OF the day is the new guard duty | 4
'ok which made its appearance to-day. It
edited by @. A. L. Totten, first lieutenant .
the United States artillery. On the fly
If is the following: C
connecticut's Contingent "
in the &c
National Guard =